
University of Montana Western Press Release
BUTTE, Mont. – The Montana Western men's basketball team (12-10) fell in a close road game to No. 9 Montana Tech (20-2), 68-66, this afternoon.
Jalyn Stepney led the Bulldogs with 21 points on 8-of-11 shooting, including four three-pointers.
How it Happened:
In a tightly contested first half, the Bulldogs and Orediggers traded baskets. Alan Kane opened the scoring for Western, netting five of his seven first-half points early.
The Bulldogs would hold Montana Tech to just 1-of-9 from three-point range and Kyle Gruhler led the rebounding effort with eight, helping UMW out-rebound Tech 20-13 and convert seven second-chance points. Tech would lead 28-27 at the half.

Stepney would score 18 of his 21 points as the teams remained neck and neck, with no lead exceeding five points.
Trailing 64-60 in the final minute, Stepney drilled a three while drawing a foul, sinking the free throw to tie it at 64. Tech quickly regained the lead at 66-64 with 35 seconds left.
Kevin Bethel then drove for a layup to tie the game at 66 with 10 seconds remaining. On the final possession, the Orediggers hit a jumper with 0.6 seconds left to edge out a 68-66 victory.
Notables:
Kolter Merritt scored nine points, grabbed five rebounds, went 4-for-4 from the free-throw line, and added two assists.
Kyle Gruhler recorded a game-high nine rebounds.
Nine different Bulldogs scored.
Five Bulldogs registered one steal each.
Up Next
The Bulldogs will return home to take on (RV) Rocky Mountain College this Thursday, February 6, with tip-off set for 7 p.m.

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